New JTA head militant against sections of teaching council bill

Norman Allen (right) accepts the gavel from outgoing JTA president Doran Dixon last night. Looking on is the JTA's Dr Polly Bowes Howell

The newly elected president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) Norman Allen says the union will continue to oppose the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) bill if controversial sections are not changed.

The bill proposes to regulate the teaching profession.

Delivering the presidential address at the JTA's annual conference in St James last night, Allen, said the JTC bill has certain provisions which conflict with the 1980 Education Regulation that has been governing the teaching profession.

He argued that the JTC bill seems intent on reprimanding and punishing teachers without ensuring the right to due process.

JTA president, Norman Allen

The Education Ministry has been pushing the JTC bill which is expected to provide for the establishment of a governing body for the teaching profession and institute a regime for the licensing and registration of all government-paid teachers.

The bill would also have legal power to immediately suspend or cancel the registration of a teacher who has been charged for sexual offences, murder, pornography, robbery and fraud.

Last month, Education Minister, Ronald Thwaites, said the bill would be ready for submission to a legislative committee in September.